Yankuba Minteh believes that Brighton are finding form at just the right time as they moved up to 10th in the Premier League with a 1-0 win over Sunderland. 

Minteh scored the only goal at the Stadium of Light in bizarre fashion, with his sliced cross-shot somehow beating Melker Ellborg at his near post in the 58th minute of the match. 

Sunderland had earlier seen Chris Rigg's goal ruled out for offside, while Lewis Dunk was on hand to clear Chemsdine Talbi's volley off the line early in the first half. 

But despite dominating the final half-an-hour at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland were unable to find a way through as Brighton held on for a crucial win away from home. 

The Seagulls have now won successive top-flight away games for the first time since their final two of 2024-25, pushing them right into the mix for a spot in Europe next year.

"It is difficult, but we are going to fight until the end. It can be good for us," Minteh told Premier League Productions when asked about Brighton's European ambitions. 

"We are getting back to our form while is really good for the team and I am really happy for everyone."

These FT scenes… pic.twitter.com/XfIUET31sg

— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) March 14, 2026

Minteh ended his long run in the Premier League without a goal in strange fashion, with this just his second league strike for Brighton this season. 

He now has more Premier League goal involvements than any other player aged 21 and under since the start of last season (16 – eight goals, eight assists), though he admitted that this strike was perhaps not what he intended.

"I wanted to cross the ball, but I just saw it in, so I took [the shot]," Minteh explained.

"This is the strangest goal I have had since I started, but it is a good goal, and we take the three points and prepare for more.

"A difficult game, we know we have been having ups and downs. We have to keep going, happy for the performance of the team. Everyone gave 100% and we got the win."

Sunderland, meanwhile, slipped to a third consecutive league defeat at the Stadium of Light, having started the campaign by going 12 unbeaten at home. 

Only Leeds United (11), Nottingham Forest (10), Burnley (eight) and Tottenham (four) have won fewer points in the Premier League in 2026 than Sunderland (12 – W3 D3 L6), with only Spurs (seven) losing more matches.

Those recent results have seen Sunderland slip down the table, though all the talk surrounded Ellborg, who stood in again for the injured Robin Roefs. 

"He is doing well and stepping up in the Premier League. We are struggling a bit, so it gives opportunities for young lads," Regis Le Bris said of Ellborg's display. 

"They need time and support, and it is important to feel the support. We need to help them rather than being negative.

"We quickly forget that last season we were in the Championship, we got promoted at the end.

"A young squad needs time, they need to struggle because you learn a lot in this time.

"We have another important fixture next week because we are excited by the event, and we are looking forward to it [derby game against Newcastle United]."